Call for committee to study ESSCom issues
KUALA LUMPUR: Senator Datuk Chin Su Phin has appealed to the government to consider creating a parliamentary committee to study the issues in the Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCom) thoroughly and make recommendations for improvements.
Chin, who is also Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) deputy president, said he was disappointed that national security was not emphasised in the 11th Malaysia Plan (11MP) despite multiple kidnapping incidents in the east coast of Sabah.
He said social security played an important role to ensure the sustainability and economic development of a country, but the 11MP had failed to emphasize on national security, economic and social issues.
“This will cause the people to develop a negative perception towards the government, especially Sabahans who are affected by security problems.
“Therefore, I hope the government will consider creating a parliamentary committee to study the issues in ESSCom thoroughly, make recommendations and come up with improvement measures.”
At the same time, Chin said the government should equip the security forces with more sophisticated assets as soon as possible.
“Do not give excuses that these assets have been purchased but are not ready to be used, or have not been installed, or still in the process of delivery.
“How will these excuses save the lives of our people, our country’s dignity and sovereignty if we come under sudden attack? It will be a disappointment and an embarrassment,” Chin said that during the debate session on the 11MP in the Dewan Negara here.
On the other hand, Chin said he was informed that ESSCom had carried out numerous operations to nab illegal immigrants (PATI) every week with a large number of them reportedly detained.
“Some of them have been deported to their home countries and some are in the process of deportation.
“I wish to thank the government for the effort.”
However, Chin doubted that the illegal immigrants would not return to Sabah and he asked the government to explain the measures and strategies undertaken to curb the illegal entry of these immigrants.
Furthermore, Chin strongly urged the government to review identification card holders of ‘Project IC’ since many illegal immigrants had allegedly obtained the identification cards despite having no allegiance to the country.
“The Malaysian government should re-issue identification cards to genuine Sabahans and withdraw all identification cards obtained illegally by immigrants.”
Nonetheless, Chin acknowledged the role of legal foreign workers in the State’s development.
“They (legal foreign workers) are important because without them, all development projects would have come to a halt.”
Therefore, Chin requested the government to consider issuing valid work permit to deported illegal immigrants who were keen to work in Sabah.
“We have no problem if they come (to Sabah) through the process and documentation in accordance with the requirements and regulations.”
On another note, Chin lauded the government for its continued effort to reduce crime rate, as evident in the statistics provided by the relevant ministry every year.
In spite of that, he pointed out that the public perception of crime index was still at an unreasonable level.
Apart from frequent occurrence of murder and robbery cases, he explained that the negative perception arose because certain parties had been disseminating news and reports of politicians and activities being arrested.
“On top of that, there is the perception that the police force is biased in the investigation of certain groups.
“This can be overcome if the government gives more attention to capturing thieves, criminals and murderers and not solely on politicians.
“I think this is the core responsibility that should be carried out by the police.”